In Brief: Oct. 4, 1999

LAWYERS FOR ALL Is your company one of the increasing number that offer prepaid legal plans through payroll deductions? Set up like HMOs, the plans use networks of lawyers to handle estate planning, real estate transactions and other basics. (Divorce is extra.) Some examples: Hyatt Legal Plans, owned by MetLife, charges $13.50 a month; Legal Club of America provides free and discounted services for $8 a month.

MANAGED CARE If you are one of the 6.3 million Medicare recipients enrolled in an HMO, you can expect to pay more for prescription drugs next year. On average, co-payments are expected to rise...